The Energon Pub

Okay, all caught up on this thread.

Kurona wrote:

King Kuuga wrote:For Pre-NYCC hype, this was said:

Kurona wrote:We'll almost certainly see Predaking and the leaked Evergreen figures.

Kurona, you brought this up several other times as well. I'm curious why you were so convinced we would see Predaking fully unveiled at NYCC when previous titans have only been teased there and properly revealed at Toy Fair the year of their release.

Eh, that was a while back so it's difficult to remember. I think it was because we'd seen leaks of a prototype Predaking along with Evergreen Megatron on what looked like a show floor -- combine that with my thinking they needed some sort of big reveal...

NYCC has never been their big reveal con, as far as I can remember. We may have gotten a wave or two of the next toyline, except in 2013 where they just brought AOE Optimus and some Construct Bots. The full reveals of Metroplex, Stomp n Chomp Grimlock (the big toy of that year), Devastator, Fort Max, and Trypticon weren't until the Toy Fair or a related event the spring of their release. It just makes sense that Predaking would follow suit, although why they're playing so coy with what they have shown is beyond me. They got lucky the NYCC hosts weren't quite nostalgic enough to recognize Divebomb's wings on sight and blurt it out during the broadcast. I seem to remember they were at least honest about who Trypticon's leg belonged to.

And I'm not sure we were even supposed to see that test shot or whatever you call it from a few months back, that's the kind of thing they don't usually show until after the fact, like they did at Hascon when they showed the development process of Trypticon and Fort Max.


Side note to whoever: do not ever try to read 3800 posts (this entire thread) in 11 days. I'm just crazy.

Qwan wrote:So I mean, we could theoretically get 6-bot combiners using the combination devised here, but just... not even close to the way you'd want

Speak for yourself, that's exactly the way I'd want

Man, the talk a page or so back about sg rodders made me realise quite how much I wish they'd gone with the LL scheme of blue/purple. Granted, neither robot mode looks much like the idw rods, but you get a lot more bang for your buck play-pattern wise than shelling out for MMC calidus*asterisk. One day I'll be able to splash out on all the reformatted crew, one day...

Also, re:predaking I'm half convinced they've got some IP issues with the name. It's legit the only reason I can fathom that they'd not even announce it properly, being all "who's wings are these? hmmm, I wonder..."
Surely just as much (or more!) hype would be built by saying "yes people, the king is coming, here's a teaser to whet your appetites" than some kinda guessing-game where everyone either knows the answer already or doesn't know enough to care : shrug:

I wasn't talking about any confirmed or leaked or rumoured figure when I said Voyager Tank Combiner Megatron. Would just be cool.

Emerje wrote:I'd rather have Megatron --> Super Megatron over Galvatron. First because the closest thing we've had to a Super Megatron figure ever is the Animated Megatron. But that's not the only reason, I think it simply fits the evolution gimmick better. Megatron and Galvatron are basically the same size characters so a Deluxe Megatron turning into a Leader Galvatron just doesn't work for me the same way it does for Orion Pax, Hot Rod, and Optimus Primal.

But Megatron into Super Megatron seems perfect since it's a real upgrade of the character rather than being reformatted into someone else. And really up things by giving us an evolving Star Convoy to go with him, he's another figure we really deserve an update of instead of all the homages we've gotten over the years (Cybertron Optimus Prime, Animated Armor Up Optimus Prime, CW Battle Core Optimus Prime, TR Voyager Optimus Prime). I'd be super happy if we got these two out of the line. They can save a Leader Galvatron for the next line.

Emerje

I completely agree with this, and is pretty much what I have been saying since the gimmick was revealed. A Super Megatron would be awesome and would fit so much better for the reasons you just listed.

Deluxe and up probably won't have pegs for Titan Masters/Prime Masters to stand on, right?

Hmmm... I don't recall seeing any, but it's probably not impossible. They could get away with it more in TR as most of the designs were cybertronian so the odd peg didn't look out of place. With PotP largely going back to "cleaner" alt-modes, it might be less likely. They could easily stick a few on, say, the dinobots though, with the added bonus of another sort-of diaclone nod. I'll have to check the convention galleries to be certain one way or the other though.

ArmadaPrime wrote:Also, re:predaking I'm half convinced they've got some IP issues with the name. It's legit the only reason I can fathom that they'd not even announce it properly, being all "who's wings are these? hmmm, I wonder..."
Surely just as much (or more!) hype would be built by saying "yes people, the king is coming, here's a teaser to whet your appetites" than some kinda guessing-game where everyone either knows the answer already or doesn't know enough to care : shrug:

I don't know why they're being so coy about it, but I doubt that's it. They've used the name through 2014 and have probably been working on this figure since 2016. I just can't imagine a scenario where they'd suddenly lose use of the name over the course of 3 years, but hold on to it in the gap from 1986 to 2010.

Probably has more to do with Predaking not being formally announced yet. When they showed off Trypticon's leg we already knew the results of the poll.

Emerje

Rysquad wrote:Deluxe and up probably won't have pegs for Titan Masters/Prime Masters to stand on, right?

The Deluxe Dinobots definitely do have pegs; I don't recall seeing them on the other Deluxes (nor can I even remember whether I saw any on Grimlock) but I might've just missed them. They're definitely not out of the question at least.

ArmadaPrime wrote:Also, re:predaking I'm half convinced they've got some IP issues with the name.

Doubt it. They're using the Predaking name in TF:Earth Wars, and that often reflects any name change issues.

Emerje wrote:I'd rather have Megatron --> Super Megatron over Galvatron. First because the closest thing we've had to a Super Megatron figure ever is the Animated Megatron. But that's not the only reason, I think it simply fits the evolution gimmick better. Megatron and Galvatron are basically the same size characters so a Deluxe Megatron turning into a Leader Galvatron just doesn't work for me the same way it does for Orion Pax, Hot Rod, and Optimus Primal.

I'd like a humble miner Megatron that evolves into Decepticon warlord Megatron. Tracked mining vehicle -> tank.

Seems in keeping with the whole "before they became a leader / after they became a leader" theme.

Emerje wrote:Probably has more to do with Predaking not being formally announced yet. When they showed off Trypticon's leg we already knew the results of the poll.

Emerje

Seems like all the more reason to formally announce it. I'm sure there are people out there that don't know those are Divebomb/Predaking's wings, but most of us recognize them and even if he hadn't leaked as the next titan, we would have figured it out pretty quickly.

King Kuuga wrote:

Emerje wrote:Probably has more to do with Predaking not being formally announced yet. When they showed off Trypticon's leg we already knew the results of the poll.

Emerje

Seems like all the more reason to formally announce it. I'm sure there are people out there that don't know those are Divebomb/Predaking's wings, but most of us recognize them and even if he hadn't leaked as the next titan, we would have figured it out pretty quickly.

We may all know who it is, but competitors don't. Were he to be announced too early, they can take steps to prevent its intended release, like stealing his trademark.

I really, really, really find myself looking forward to this line the more I think about it. I've been sitting here messing around with CW Onslaught and Mirage for a little bit and it occured to me just how freaking cool it'll be to attach the likes of Swoop, Moonracer and Cutthroat to CW torsos
I think the one I'm looking forward to most is Swoop for multiple reasons -- he's a likeable character, he's got a wonderful colour scheme, and it'll just be great to have a cool-looking beast instead of a vehicle. Also helps that I love pterodactyls! And, naturally, since he's Wave 1; judging by the TR situation right now I can absolutely expect to find him lining shelves for at least half a year so I'll be able to get him at some point That's another reason I'm looking forward to this line actually; UK distribution has been unspeakably dire so it'll be nice to once again just be assured I can get a figure easily again rather than having to groan about how we're not getting this wave or how we have to wait months for that wave or see what the best deal for an import is or bla-dee-bla-dee-blah. Bring on Swoop!

Qwan wrote:

Rysquad wrote:Deluxe and up probably won't have pegs for Titan Masters/Prime Masters to stand on, right?

The Deluxe Dinobots definitely do have pegs; I don't recall seeing them on the other Deluxes (nor can I even remember whether I saw any on Grimlock) but I might've just missed them. They're definitely not out of the question at least.

Going back on some of the actual pics, I think I see them on most of the figures.

Damn, would have been nice for Combiner Wars to have them ahead of Titans Return.

Kurona wrote:I really, really, really find myself looking forward to this line the more I think about it. I've been sitting here messing around with CW Onslaught and Mirage for a little bit and it occured to me just how freaking cool it'll be to attach the likes of Swoop, Moonracer and Cutthroat to CW torsos
I think the one I'm looking forward to most is Swoop for multiple reasons -- he's a likeable character, he's got a wonderful colour scheme, and it'll just be great to have a cool-looking beast instead of a vehicle. Also helps that I love pterodactyls! And, naturally, since he's Wave 1; judging by the TR situation right now I can absolutely expect to find him lining shelves for at least half a year so I'll be able to get him at some point That's another reason I'm looking forward to this line actually; UK distribution has been unspeakably dire so it'll be nice to once again just be assured I can get a figure easily again rather than having to groan about how we're not getting this wave or how we have to wait months for that wave or see what the best deal for an import is or bla-dee-bla-dee-blah. Bring on Swoop!

I feel like you've stolen the words right out of my fingertips, especially your thoughts on Swoop. I simply can't wait for him!

(Though admittedly, distribution in my corner of Australia hasn't been so bad for once during TR - I guess I just got lucky this year. Even so, it's nice knowing that what's probably my most anticipated PotP figure so far should be easily available right out the gate!)

Rysquad wrote:

Qwan wrote:

Rysquad wrote:Deluxe and up probably won't have pegs for Titan Masters/Prime Masters to stand on, right?

The Deluxe Dinobots definitely do have pegs; I don't recall seeing them on the other Deluxes (nor can I even remember whether I saw any on Grimlock) but I might've just missed them. They're definitely not out of the question at least.

Going back on some of the actual pics, I think I see them on most of the figures.

Damn, would have been nice for Combiner Wars to have them ahead of Titans Return.

Indeed, but surely that might've spoiled the surprise a little early - or worse, given us false hopes before we knew what was actually coming. Had we seen little pegs all over everything early on in CW, I think a lot of people wouldn't have hesitated to call Micromasters, leading to probably a fair few disappointed faces when TMs inevitably showed up. (Not that TMs are inherently any better or worse than Micromasters, but even a lateral difference to expectations can often be a great blow.)

...Okay yeah I'm totally pulling that justification outta nowhere, but I'd say it makes about as much sense as any explanation you could give. Except maybe (and much more rationally I guess), that they hadn't decided TR's gimmick yet while they were working on early CW, much like what we ran into with TR PMOP being better suited for the not-yet-devised PotP Leader gimmick.

That said, I wonder if Inferno will have any retooling to accommodate TM/PM pegs. I'd say it's doubtful, but also not outside the realm of possibility either. It'd definitely be interesting though if he didn't, having him be the only figure (so far) that's completely incompatible with the main gimmick of the line. (I'd call combining the 'secondary gimmick', even though it takes more engineering work and compromise to the individual figures, since Prime Masters are really being played up as the main play feature of PotP.)

I have too many thoughts right now...

william-james88 wrote:

Qwan wrote: It'd definitely be interesting though if he didn't, having him be the only figure (so far) that's completely incompatible with the main gimmick of the line. (I'd call combining the 'secondary gimmick', even though it takes more engineering work and compromise to the individual figures, since Prime Masters are really being played up as the main play feature of PotP.)

I have too many thoughts right now...

But isnt combining just as main in POTP as it was in CW? Its the same classes that combine together. Plus, Inferno can combine with Titan masters by having them fill his gauntlets.

They even show it in the image below:

[snip]

So he isnt completely incompatible with the prime masters. He can also hold any of the targetmasters that make up the prime master class.

I'll concede on Inferno having PM-compatible gauntlets (which by the way, I hadn't noticed that the feet/gauntlets seem to have 5mm ports in the back of the heels - that could be interesting depending what those could be/will be used for). As for combining being as "main" in PotP as it was in CW, that's absolutely true (except for Legends-class not being involved this time) - but that doesn't make it the main gimmick of this line.

Thing is, combining was the main gimmick in CW, but it wasn't all-encompassing. Leaders were totally left out of the gimmick, and a fair few of the Legends figures were also unable to combine in any real capacity (Windcharger, Warpath, Bombshell really rides the line between "gun" and "stuck a handle on a beetle"). Compare that to TR where (barring Cosmos) every figure in every size-class - including the newly-introduced even-smaller size - was compatible with the Titan Masters, or more relevantly PotP with every class having some form of Prime Master integration (even Inferno, thanks for pointing that out ), and the concept of combining Deluxes and Voyagers is frankly overshadowed.

Hence, 'primary gimmick' being Prime Masters and 'secondary gimmick' being combining. (I suppose if I were to continue down that road then the 'tertiary gimmick' might be Evolution Leaders, but I might be taking it a bit too far now.) But of course, it's only my own definition based on my own criteria. Nobody's really wrong if it's all a matter of opinion (and totally unnecessary opinion at that), after all.

Qwan wrote: (which by the way, I hadn't noticed that the feet/gauntlets seem to have 5mm ports in the back of the heels - that could be interesting depending what those could be/will be used for).

Leaked instructions show they're an extra spot to store the hand pieces. Comes in handy for the likes of Inferno, as he has no built-in spots for the two extra hands to "bulk him up" like Volcanicus.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Qwan wrote: (which by the way, I hadn't noticed that the feet/gauntlets seem to have 5mm ports in the back of the heels - that could be interesting depending what those could be/will be used for).

Leaked instructions show they're an extra spot to store the hand pieces. Comes in handy for the likes of Inferno, as he has no built-in spots for the two extra hands to "bulk him up" like Volcanicus.

Looks like they'll work as larger heel-spurs too in that configuration - awesome! I was a little worried that the feet looked a bit too small to hold the combiners up properly (though I guess they're probably bigger than the HFGs at least, which technically held the CW combiners upright).

And speaking of the new combiner kibbles and bits, I propose the new acronyms be: HATs (Hand/Armor/Torso-bulkers) and FBPs (Foot/Buckler/Prime-holders). I'm not too happy with the latter acronym - it could probably be way catchier - but I think HATs could stick.

...Even if it does now make me wish that the PotP combiners came with actual little hats for the combined mode

Qwan wrote:And speaking of the new combiner kibbles and bits, I propose the new acronyms be: HATs (Hand/Armor/Torso-bulkers) and FBPs (Foot/Buckler/Prime-holders

Or, and I know this is going to sound crazy, but we could just call them "Hands and Feet".

steals_your_goats wrote:

Qwan wrote:And speaking of the new combiner kibbles and bits, I propose the new acronyms be: HATs (Hand/Armor/Torso-bulkers) and FBPs (Foot/Buckler/Prime-holders

Or, and I know this is going to sound crazy, but we could just call them "Hands and Feet".

Yeah but that's no fun. What's the point of having a cool new thing if we can't make up dumb acronyms to refer to it by?

Qwan wrote:

steals_your_goats wrote:

Qwan wrote:And speaking of the new combiner kibbles and bits, I propose the new acronyms be: HATs (Hand/Armor/Torso-bulkers) and FBPs (Foot/Buckler/Prime-holders

Or, and I know this is going to sound crazy, but we could just call them "Hands and Feet".

Yeah but that's no fun. What's the point of having a cool new thing if we can't make up dumb acronyms to refer to it by?

"HFG" was a kinda necessary acronym because of them pulling double duty for the limbs. The PotP ones, not so much, they're just hands and feet with extended features, nothing new

Qwan wrote:

steals_your_goats wrote:

Qwan wrote:And speaking of the new combiner kibbles and bits, I propose the new acronyms be: HATs (Hand/Armor/Torso-bulkers) and FBPs (Foot/Buckler/Prime-holders

Or, and I know this is going to sound crazy, but we could just call them "Hands and Feet".

Yeah but that's no fun. What's the point of having a cool new thing if we can't make up dumb acronyms to refer to it by?

"HAT" and "FBP" aren't that dumb. Now "CHUG," THAT is a terrible acronym that needs to die already!

I'm personally just a bit worried about the feet. I haven't had very good experiences with Victorion or Computron with their feet with the ankle tilts. For 1 thing, the bot mode is too heavy for the ankle tilt to really be worth anything. and 2, only very specific bots actually work with it. If I use the cars as legs for Victorion, she topples over. If I only use one car and one coptor, she falls over. She will not balance on the cars, and there are stress marks from me trying.

computron has a similar issue, resolved because his combiner lean and foot connector lean were bad enough I bent Scattershots arm at the elbow just past the unlocking click, and how he stands nice and straight, albeit with his feet about an inch or 2 off alignment like he's taking a small step forward.